Cotton harvester, crusher, and huller.



0. G. HOUGHTON. COTTON HABVESTER, GRUSHEB, AND HULLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETSSHEET l.

Inventor:

Witnesses 0. G. HOUGHTON. COTTON HARVESTER, GRUSHER, AND HULLER.APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

985,036. Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SEEETSSHEET 2.

Witnesses: i a

a. ay

- Attorneys.

O. G. HOUGHTON. COTTON HARVESTER, GRUSHER, AND HULLER. APPLIGATION FILEDMAY 9, 1910.

95,036.. Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Witngsses Inventor:

I 0. 0. HOUGHTON. COTTON HARVESTER,

CRU$HER, AND HULLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Witnesses Attorneys.

0. O. HOUGHTON. COTTON HARVESTER, GRUSHER, AND HULLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1910.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Inventor Witnesses 0. 0. HOUGHTON. COTTON HARVESTER ORUSHER, AND HULLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETSSHEET 6.

Inventor 0. 0. HO-UGHTON. COTTON HARYESTER, GRUSHER, AND HULLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETSSHEET 7.

Inventor warlefi fiugziizks Witnesses O. G. HOU'GHTON. COTTON HARVESTER,GRUSHER, AND HULLBR.

APPLIGATION FILED' MAY 9, 1910.

' Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

lzl ill/11111 1111114;

Inventor:

itnesses 0. G. HOUGHTONH, COTTON HARVESTER, GBUSHER, AND HULLBR.

APPLICATION P'ILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

9 SHEETSSHEET 9.

2v bsx MN EN QW P Inventor:

d 6. lfimglzrh @y AttornQ s.

' Witnesses:

'10 "full, clear, and exact specification, which sTATEs PATENT onnion.

ORLEY c. HoUGH'roN, or cnicaco, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR 'ronmmr n. BULLOCKAND JAMES E. BULLOCK, or cnrcaeo, ILLINOIS.

COTTON. nanvnsrnn; cansrmn, Ann HULLER.

Emmet... dream Patent. t t b, 21, 1911, utationsm 9,1910. SerialNo.560,216.

To all it i Be it known that I, ORLEY C. HQUGHTON,

. a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the countyof Cook and: State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Cotton Harvesters,

'Crushers, and 'Hullers; and I do hereby declare that the followingdescription of my said invention, taken in connection with theaccompanying sheets of drawings, forms a will enable others skilled inthe art to which it-appertains to make and use the-same.

-This invention hasgeneral reference to improvements incottonharvesters; and it consists, essentially,in the novel and peculiarcombination of parts and details of concotton harvester.

estruction as hereinafter first fully set forth and described and thenpointed claims.

In the drawings already referred to, which serve to illustrate thisinvention more fully, Figure 1'is a side elevation of my improved Fig. 2is a plan of the same, the cover-board on one ofthe inclined gatherersbeing removed to disclose underlying mechanism. Fig. 3 is a transverseout in the .sectional elevation on line 1, 1, of Fig. 2,

looking forward of the machine, a portion of one of the inner verticalwalls being broken away to show the location of the breaker-bars inconnection with the heaters. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of themachinebody, the driving wheel having portions of its spokes broken awayand the driving clutch and the internal driving gear wheel and itspinion removed to fully show the machine-gearing, located on-theleft-hand side of the machine-body. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one ofthe brackets for the-rocking shaft and the quadrant thereon, the figurebeing drawn on the line 2', 2, of Fig.

right-hand side of the machine-body, the grain-wheel located on thisside of said machine-body being shown in dotted lines in i 1: H beingshown cut .aw H

.1ocationof Fig. 8 in nron'rrel 'atlve position preference to solidlines, so as not to obscure the parts lying behind the. same. is asimilar view of the left-hand side of the machine-body, thegear-wheelsbeing re- .moved to fully disclose the bearings;- for thevarious shafts, a portion the fan casing to enable the Fig. 7

to the same device shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 8 is asectional plan on line 4,4, of Fig. 7 of .one of the bearing members' Fig. 9 is an inverted lanof one of the lower an le bars and the hracket for the vehicle ax e, andone of the'bearings for the crusher shaft located thereon. Fig. 10 is alongitudinal ,sectlonal elevation, on line 5, 5, of .Fig. 2

looking in the direction of the arrow shown thereon. Fig. 11 is a sideelevation of the gathering'mechanism located at the forward part of themachine-body, said figure being drawn on a larger scale on line 5, 5, ofFig. 2. Fig. 12 is a 'plan of the same. "Fig. 13 is a sectionalelevation of the conveyer-op-' crating mechanism, drawn on line 6, 6, of'F1g.1f2. Fig. 14 is an elevation of a portion of the'con-veyerlink-belt. Fig. 15 is a sectional view-on line 7, 7, of Fig. 14. Fig. 16is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the central portion of thismachine. .Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view on line 8,8, of Fig.16. Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the lint-separating disks detached.

Like parts are designated by corresponding symbols and characters ofreference in all the various figures.

The object'of this invention is the roduction of a cotton harvester thatshall especially eificient, serviceable, and economical in harvestingwhat is enerally known as the second picking, whic usually consists ingathering scattered cotton lint, partly opened, and unripe bolls fromthe limbs and branches of. cotton plants after the leaves thereof havedropped. This picking has heretofore been mostly done by hand labor, andit is, therefore, rather expensive, especially so in view of the factthat labor in the cotton-producing belt of the United States is scarce.My present machine comprises a machinebody mounted on wheels; gatheringmechanismlocated at the forward end of said machine-body; gearingoperated by thetraction wheel and' adapted to operate thegatheringmechanism, the beater adapted to break up limbs and branches-ofthe cotton plants entering said- "machine-body; a crushing? mechanismadapted to disintegrate the cotton plant portions that enter themachineto; a receptacle adapted to receive the same; the machine-bodywith its app'urtenants beirig adapted to be propelled by Ia team of.

I horses traveling between adjacent .rows of rear of the machine-body.These lower- .-.angle-bars' 11, 12, extend rearwardly for cotton plantswhile the machine moves over a. row of these plants. This'machme-bodyrespectively. These angle-bars are connectbars 17, 18, located near therear end thereof, while "further, inclined bars- 19, 2Q, connect theupper and. lower angle-bars ..1n the some distance, and they carrya-Iplatform p A 21, on which there is located a basket 22, in

. as will'hereinafter more'fullyfilppear." A,

y are-closed eral of: the figures. The shaft 48 crosseswhich'the-gathered cottonlint, is deposited,

The-sides of the machinef by' pl'ates'23, 24, preferably of sheet metal,

- .to which the various bearings" hereinafter 1.12

- I Rfixed, cranked axle25, which axle is'held in brackets 26 fastenedto-the horizontallimbs of the lower anglebai's,-'a'nd' prevented'brackets'26, Nearlthe outer ends of this cranked axle 25' are located,and rotatable- .to be.; -described are attached. v i p The machine body'ismounted vupon a from rotating by '-set+screws"i27,-:in' said rthereon, a traction wheel'28yand a smaller grain-wheel29, thetraction-wheel being of sufiicientdiameter to possem the necessary powerto operate the mechanism of the machine, the axle being cranked ito'bring the same below the machine-body, and the grainwheel being smallerthan' the traction-wheel to compensate for the crank'in the axle 25.These two wheels have roller-bearings in their hubs, marked 118 in 3,to-reduce friction to a minimum. To thetraction-wheel 28 there issecured a clutch-disk 30, Figs. 1, and 3, the'construc tion of which isanalagous to the one shown and described in my' .LettersPatent No.

55,594, granted A ril 19, 1910, for cotton harvesters, to whi vI referfor-details of construction, said clutch-disk. and 2' the dogs thereonengaging an internal gear wheel '31,

loosely located'u on the axle125 and en aging a'pin'ion 32, ocated on ashaft 33, w ch shaft" is journaled in bearin 34, Y formed. onthe'brackets A, located on t e axle 25 and having a downwardly-projectin'g arm 35, the object of which will hereinafter ap ear.

On the wall 24 ofthe machine-b y there is placed a peculiarly-shapedcasting B, shown in detai in Fig. 7, and comprising a vertical member36', which has approximately in its center a boss 37, in which there isaflixed a stud-shaft 38,- which latter shaft is in axial line with theshaft 33, but independent thereof, the reason for making these 2 osspaashafts independent of each other being the .dlfliculty 'of-keeping themin exact alinement. .Upon this stud-shaft 38 revolves a spur-gear 1wheel C, which is rotated with the shaft 33 by a clutch39, fastened tosaid shaft 33, and

engaging the spokes 41 of said earwvheel O,

by. its prongs-40. The member on the wall 24 has, furthermQre aforwardly and 'upwardly extending barv42, on which there is a boss 43,which is fastened a stud-shaft 44, carrying an intermediate gear-wheelD, having antl-friction'rollers 45 inits hub, as

shown in Fig. 4. This" forwardlyfextending -'bar 42 terminates in abear'in' 46, and on the oppositeside of the machine body and inaxialline with .the bearing 46"ther e is a sunllar bearing. 47, in whichbearings there 1s journaled a shaft 48, rotated by a pinion E,meshingjwith the intermediategear wheel D, which latter gear wheel isengaged by the spur gear wheel 0,- as clearly shown in sevthemachinebody and upon it are mounted aseries'ofbeater-arms F, the-objectof which is to break up, in conjunction with Y a series of breaker-bars49, limbs and branches of cotton plants that enter the machine-body.

Again referring to the member B shown in Fig. '7, this member"has adownwardly-projecting part50,-having a bearing 51 at its teeth employedon the saws used in cotton gins, said. shaft 53 being rotated by a inionJ, meshing. with the spur gear-whee C. The brackets 26 are formed,preferably integral, with bearings 54, in which is journaled a shaft 55, carryinga fluted roller 56, the leaves. of which ,serve as a crusheror dlsintegrator in conjunction with the circularsaw-disksG V g V y IUpon the upper horizontal angle bars 13,

'14, and near their rear ends, .are located bearings 56',- in-which is'journaled a shaft 57, on which there is mounted a rotating fan- H,the'wing's or blades 58 of which are provided with radially-projectingbrushes 59. This fan is contained in. a casing H,

:having a rearwardlyfprojecting downwardly-turned discharge spout H",through ,which the cotton lint isconducted to the basket 22, and anentrance-opening 60, into which the saws G. project to be engaged attheir peripheries by the brushes 59 1n the fan-blades 58. Theblower-fan. H is rotated from the beater shaft 48 b a sprocket wheel 61,located at the outer en of said shaft and a drive chain 63,1eading'toasprocket wheel 62, on the fan-shaft 57.

."In order to lead the branches and limbs of'cotton plants into themachine-body to be end, and on the oppositeside of the machinestrippedofthe loosecotton and the bolls thereon, there located in front of saidmachine-body aninclined gatherer I, comprising two members I I", shownin detail in Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive. These' members I, I have at theirupper ends hangers 64, 64*, which 'engagewith clamping hubs 65 thebeater shaft 48,, whereby said heater shaft is made the fulcrum for theinclined members I, I. These members are spaced apart and are connectedat their upper ends to a curved guard 66, upon which the breaker bars 49are located, and they have at their forward ends curvedentrance-enlargements 67 to guide the trunks of cotton plants into thespace 67% between the members I, I

The inclined member I comprises, as

illustrated in Fig. v13, a bottom member 68,

and 'a side member (S9, while the inclined member I includes a bottommember 70, an inner side member 71, and a top board, 72, whereby thearts 68, 69, 70, and 71, form on the incline gatherer a channel K,within which the limbs and branches of cotton plants are confined intheir ascent-upon inclined gatherer. On the inclined member I" there islocated a conveyer L, comprising A standard M, is ocated u 77 oftheconveyer belt 75 is in front of'the wall 71 and in the channel K, thepaddles 76 reaching approximately across the said channel-and thepassage67, but the o posite run ofsaid belt is behind this wal 71 and iscovered by, the board 72, so that limbs and branches of the cottonplants cannot.

reach that portion of the conveyor belt located underneath said board72. This con- ]veyer isoperatedhy driving mechanism inelements:

pen the cover board 72 near its upper end, and it has an upwardlyprojecting arm terminating in a bearing 79, in which-a shaft 80, issecured. To the-bottom member 70'there is fastened a fuither bearing M,inaxial line with the eluding the follow' bearing 79, in whichbearingsthe'shaft 80 is fastened so that it will not revolve. -On thisshaft 80 rotates a bevel wheel 'N, which connects with the sprocketwheel 74 by a sleeve 81. In the standard .M there isalso a' horizontalbearing 82, in which is journaled a shaft 83, which carries at its innerend a bevel pinion P, meshing with the bevel wheel N, and which carriesat its outer end a s rocket wheel 84. I

n the outer end of the beater shaft-48,

next to the sprocket wheel 61, there, is fastened a further sprocketwheel 85, connected.

to the sprocket wheel 84 by a link belt 86.

The lower sprocket wheel on the conve er mechanism is mounted uponashaft '87 as-. tened-in a late secured to the lower side of the inclinemember I.

' The running gear" of this vehicle includes, in addition to the axle 25and the wheels 2.8 and 29, a downwardly pending arm R, fastened to theaxle 25 at its outer end and in front of the traction wheel 28. Tothisarm thereis secured an angle bar 88, to which a vehicle pole S, is,fastened' by bolts 8, 8, said pole being provided with the usualswingle and double trees shown in Fig. 2, and ...to which a team ofdraftanimals is hitched in the usual manner. Upon the axle 25, near war thegrain wheel 29 there is a further, down ly pending, arm T, to which anangle I bar 89, is secured, which angle .bar reaches forward and thendiagonally across and below the-machine-body and terminatesat the poleS, to which. it is secured by bolts'.9'0, To the angle bar -8 8 and at'ri h't' angIeS thereto, is secured a further ang' e.:bar 9l whichconnects with the vertical angle bars fee 15, 16, and inaboutits'middleanglebar 91 is connected, by'an angllsebar 92, to: the

arm. 35 of the bracket A. tion and combination of the var-ious' an'glebars, arms, and brackets, I I have-produced a very strong and rigidear,'which-'I ,find' necessary owing to the act'that l the ro-' y,construe,

pelling power of the .machineiislapplie at the side of the machinebody.to, enable a team to move between adjacent rows" of cot-. ton plants.This team is guided, and'the machine governed, by an attendant seatedupon a seat U, located u on a sprin bar har 88', as c early I93,fastened to the angle shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

- The. inclined gatherers I, I, are adapted.

to beraised and lowered at their forward end by mechanism-including thefollowing parts: Upon the angle bar 91- there are 10- cated in spacedrelation to each other, two

a rock shaft 97, to one end of'w ich, and

within convenient reach of the attendant seated upon the seat U, thereis a hand lever V, by which the shaft 97 is adapted to be rocked. Thebracket is formed, preferably integral, with a notched quadrant X,

brackets 95, 96, inwhich there is 'ournaled' wherewith acatch 78, onthehand lever V, I

and operated by the hand-piece 98 thereon,

engages to lock the hand lever V,-and with it the rock shaft97 in anydesired position, in the usual manner. This rock shaft 97 is cranked at99, and this end of the rock shaft is connected to theinclin'ed gatherermembers I, I, in any convenient manner. It will now be observed that byproperly manipulatin the hand lever'V, the inclined 'me1n= bers I", maybe raised and lowered at their front ends to follow the undulations ofthe ground over which the machine is bein 1 moved, or to pass overobstructions in the .These branches andlimbs -move gradually field, andfor other obvious purposes. In operation, these inclined members I,I-,are lowered so that their forward ends 100, are in close proximity tothe' ground adjacent to the cotton plants, tolift lower branches andlimbs thereof upon the inclined gatherer;

upward on the gatherer members and pass through the space 67 which is,however, so narrow that cotton -bolls and some of the heavier limbs andbranches cannot pass therethrough' but are torn .or severed from thetrunks and moved upward upon the in-. clined members until they reachthe beater arms F which then-take hold of these plant= portions andforce them through-the spaces between the breaker bars 49, but breakingthem up into smaller parts. In their'move ment upon the inclinedgathrezy'the limbs and branches, and such loose cotton lint as is withinreach of the inclined gatherer, are assisted in ascending .by-thepaddles 76 on the conveyerlink belt set forth, This forward movementofthe machine causes the rotation; and-movements of all the mechanismsdescribed, as. follows:' The traction wheel and'the clutchjt'here'onrotates the internal gear wheel 31, and, this, in turn,ro-' tates thepinion'32 .and shaft 33. The clutch 39 rotates the spur gear C, and thisgear revolves the intermediate gear D and the lat ter the gear E on, thebeater shaft 48, and by the "sprocket wheel 85, link belt 86, and

sprocket wheel 84, the conveying mecha-' nism. At the same'time the spurge'ar wheel C also rotates the pinion J and its shaft 53 with the seriesof circular saw disks G, while the pinion J, also engaged by the spurgear G, rotates the crusher or disintegrator. And finally the sprocketwheel 61 on the beater shaft 48 rotates the fan blower Hthrough the linkbelt 63 and the sprocket 62 on the fan shaft 57, the direction ofrotation of the various revolving parts in the machinebody beingindicated by arrows in Fig. '10.

The fan blower establishes a current of air through the passage A in themachinebody, the. air entering at the, forward end of the same, which isopen, and then passes through the passage A formedby a cover 101, overthe-beaters;'.tw'o inclined transverse walls 102, and 103;twoapproximately vertical. walls104, 105, and a partial casing 106surrounding the lower portion of the saws G, and a similar portion 117,covering the upper portion thereof, and the cover H of the fan casing,and escapes from the discharge spout H". This air current will cause thecotton lint, bolls, broken limbs and other trash to be drawn through thepassage A into a vertical chamber B below which the crusher 56 islocated This crusher disintegrates, in conjunction with the rotatingcircular saws G, all parts of the trash,

16, and-I" and the portion: 11

which drop-outof the chamber B through a bottom opening 107 therein,while the 'cotton lint, separated from. the trash, is taken up' by thesaw teeth, then separated-therefrom by the brushes on thetan blades, and

carriedby the air current through the spout -H" into the receptagfle22.; Thesecircular saws are-mounted upon the shaft'53 already mentioned,said shaft having a shouldered rt 109,"near oneend, and an externallyscrew threade d part1'10,-'near its other end.

On the's'liouldered'part 109 there is a disk- 111, and adjacent tothis'disk are alternately arranged the saw disks Gand a-separati'ng disk112, between each saw, the-series terminating -in'. a clamping disk. 113,' .and a.

tightening nut 114,- by which the parts upon said shaft-are-rigidlysecured. And in order that n'o trash may becarried. along with j the.cotton lint, .there-areplaced between eachsaw G, a'curved bar, 108,'consti- '-tuting a ard asclearl shown in Figs. 10

which curve bars are'bolted-"by bolts 116,;to a. c'ross' piece 115,towliich are I also secured the slightly inclined wall 105,

saws; Y

of the cover for the I 'To revent the lint escaping from the spout, fromscattering, a canvasskirt,

not shown, is removably'seoured to the discharge spout and caused toencircle the upa 'per portion of the receptacle 22.

Havingthus full I tion, I claim as new and desire to secure to me byLetters Patent of the United States',

'1. A cotton harvester, comprising, in comblnation, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardly-leading part in said.machine body adapted to receivecotton plant port-ions from which cottonbut is adapted to be removed; a chamber .at the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber; aninclined gatherer in front of said machine body the forward end of whichis in close'proximity to'the ground over which the machine is' moving tolift lowerbranches of cotton plants upon said inclined gatherer, saidinclined gatherer comprising twoseparate members spaced apart to permitstalks, branches and-limbs of said plants to enter, and to pass through,said, space between said members but to intercept bolls and largerlimbs, said inclined members being adapted to conduct plant portionsinto said passage; 21 beater in said machine bodyjadapte'd to break upcotton zto'sepa-rate said disintegrated p ant portions described thisinven emcee from cotton lint adhering thereto; means adapted to conductsaid separated lint out said chamber; an inc ined gatherer infront ofsaid machine, body the forward end of which is in close proximity to theground over which the machine is moving to lift,

lower branches of cotton plants upon said inclined gatherer, saidinclined gatherer comprising two separate members spaced apart to permitstalks", branches, and limbs of said plants to pass through said'spacebetween said members but to intercept bollsandlarger limbs, saidinclined members be.-

ing' adapted to conduct plant portions intov said passage a beater insaid machine" body adapted to break up cotton plantfportions.

admitted to said passage; a crusher in said exit passage including acylinderlhaving a,

series of longitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, saicylinder approximately closing the said exit opening, said knives beingadapted to disintegrate'plant portions in said passage; and to separatesaid disintegrated plant portions from cot- -ton lint adhering thereto;means adapted to conduct said separated lint out'of saidpassage, thelatter'means including pneumatically operating devices; areceptacle'ada-pted to receive said separated cotton lint; means foroperating said beater; means for operating said crusher; and lintseparator, and means for' operating. said lint conducting means. i

3. A cotton harvester," comprising a machine body, mounted on wheels; apassage having a downwardly-leading part. in said machine body adaptedto receive cotton plant portions from which cotton lint is adapted to beremoved; a chamber at the downwardly-leading partof said passage;

an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber;'an inclinedgathererin front of I said machine body the forward end of which is in closeproximity to the ground over which'said machine body moves to lift lowerbranches of'cotton plants upon said inclined gatherer, said inclined'gatherer comprising two separate members spaced apart to permitstalks,branches .and limbs of cotton plants to enter,'andpass through the spacebetwwn said members but to intercept bolls and larger limbs; aconveyer'on one of said inclined members adapted to assist cotton plantportions in ascending said inclined gatherer; said conveyor having wingscrossing the space between the gatherer members, a crusher in said exitpassage including a cylinder having a series of longitudinally disposed,radially projecting knives, said cylinder approximately closing the exitopening, said knives being adapted to disint-egrate cotton plantportions in said passage;

and to separate cotton plant portiogns from,

cotton lint adhering thereto; means adapted to conduct said separatedcotton lint out of said passage; a receptacle adapted to receive saidseparated cotton lint;means for ,operating said conveyer; means foroperating said crusher; and lint separator, and means for operating saidlint conducting means.

4. A cotton harvester, comprising, in com-v bination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardly-leading part in saidmachine body adapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint a is adapted to be removed; a chamber at. the] downwardly-leadingpart of said passage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber;an inclined gatherer in front of said machine body theforward end of wich is in close proximity to the ground over 1 which said machine bodymoves to litt lower branchesof cotton plants upon said inclinedgatherer, said inclined gatherercomprising two separate members spacedapart to permit stalks, branches and limbs of cotton pla nts'to enter,and pass through, the space between said members but to intercept bollsand larger limbs; a conveyer on one of said inclined members adapted toassist cotton plant portions in ascending said inclined gatherer; saidconveyer having wings crossing the space between the gatherer members, acrusher in said exit passage including a cylinder having a' series oflongitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, said cylinderapproximately closing the said exit opening, said knives being adaptedto, disintegrate cotton plant portions in said passage; and -to separatecot-ton plant portions from cotton lint adhering thereto; means adaptedto conduct said separated cotton lint out of said passa e, the lattermeans including pneumatica ly operating devices; a receptacle adapted toreceive said separated cotton lint; means for operating 5 said conveyer;means for operating said crusher; and lint separator, and means foroperating said lint conducting means.

5. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine body imounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardlyleading part insaidmachine body adapted to receive cotton-plant portions from which cottonlint is adapted to be removed; a chamber at the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower J art of said chamber; aninclined gatherer erer comprising two separate members spaced apart topermit stalks; branches and limbs of cotton plants to enter, and passthrough, the space between said members but to intercept bolls andlarger limbs; a conveyer on one of said inclined members adapted-toassist cotton plant portions in ascending said inclined gatherer; saidconveyer having wings crossing the spacebetween the gatherer members, abeater in said machine body adapted to break up cotton plant portionsadmitted to said passage; a crusher in said exit passage including acylinder having a series of longitudinally disposed, radially projectingknives, said cylinder approximately closing the said exit opening, saidknives being adapted to disintegrate cotton plant portions insaidpassage; and to separate cotton plant portions from cotton lintadhering thereto: means adapted to conduct said separated cotton lintout of said passage; a receptacle adapted to receive said separatedcotton lint; means foroperating said conveyer; means for operating saidheater: means for operating said crusher; and lint separator, and meansfor operating said lint conducting means.

6. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardlyleading part in saidmachine body adapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint is adapted to be removed;-a chamber at the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower 'part of said chamber; aninclined gatherer in front of said machine body the forward end of whichis in close proximity to the ground over which said machine body movesto lift lower branches of cotton plants upon said inclined gatherer;said inclined gatherer comprising two separate members spaced apart vtopermit stalks, branches and limbs of cotton plants to enter, and passthrough, the space between said members but to intercept bolls andlarger limbs; a e'onveyer on one of said inclined members adapted toassist cotton plant portions in ascending said inclined gatherer; saidconveyer having wings crossing the space between the gatherer members, aheater in said machine body adapted to break up cotton plant portionsadmitted to said lpassage; a crusher in said exit passage inc uding acylinder having a series of longitudinally disposed, radially projectingknives, said cylinder approximately closing the said exit opening, saidknives being adapted to disintegrate cotton plant portions in saidpassage; and to separate cotton plant portions from cotton lint adheringthereto; means adapted U cotton lint is adapted to be removed; a

chamber at the downwardly-leading part of said passage; an exit openingin the lowerpart of said chamber; an inclined gatherer in front of saidmachine body, said inclined gatherer being ivoted in said machinebody atits rear end? it's forward end being in close proximity to the groundover which the machine is moving to lift lower branches of cotton plantsupon said inclined gatherer; means adapted to raise and lower the saidinclined gatherer at its forward end to follow the undulations of theground at its forward end; a heater in said machine body, adapted tobreak up cotton plant portions admitted to said passage; a crusher insaid exit passage including a cylinderv having a series oflongitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, said cylinderapproximately closing the said exit opening, said knives being adaptedto disintegrate cotton plant portions in said passage; and to separatecotton plant portions from cotton lint adhering thereto; means adaptedto convey said separated lint out of said passage; a

receptacle adapted to'receive said separated cotton lint; means foroperating said heater; means for operating said crusher; and lintseparator, and means for operating said lint conducting means.

8. A cotton harvester, comprising, in com bination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardlyleading part in saidmachine body adapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint is adapted to be removed; a chamber at the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber;an'inclined gatherer in front of said machine body, said inclinedgatherer being pivoted in said machine body at its rear end, its forwardend being in close proximity to the ground over which the machine ismoving to lift lower branches of cotton plantsupon said inclinedgatherer; means adapted. to raise and lower said inclined gatherer atits forward endto follow the undulations of the ground at its forwardesaoae end; a beater in said machine body adapted to break up cottonplant portions admitted to said passage; a crusher in said exit passageincluding a cylinder having a series of longitudinally disposed,radially projecting knives, said cylinder approximately closing the saidexit opening, said knives being adapted to disintegrate cotton plantportions in said passage; and to separate cotton plant portions fromcotton lint adhering thereto; means adapted to conduct said separatedlint out of said passage, the latter means including pneumaticallyoperating devices; a receptacle adapted to receive said separated cottonlint; means for operating said beater; means for operating said crusher;and lint separator, and means for operating the lint conducting means.

'9. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardly-leading part in saidmachine .body' adapted to receive cotton plant portions from whichcottonlint is adapted torbe removed; a cham-,

her at the downwardly-leading part of said passage; an exit opening inthe lower part of said chamber; an inclined gatherer in front of saidmachine body the forward end of which is in close proximity to theground over which the machine is moving to lift lower branches of saidplants upon said inclined gatherer, said gatherer including two separatemembers spaced apart to permit stalks, branches and limbs of cottonplants to enter and pass through the space between said members but tointercept bolls and larger limbs; a channel'in said gat-herer in whichcotton plant portions are adapted to be confined while ascending saidinclined gatherer to enter said passage; a heater in' said machine bodyadapted to breakup cotton plant portions admitted to said passage; acrusher in said exit passage including a cylinder having a series oflongitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, said cylinderapproximately closing the said exit opening, said knives being adaptedto disintegrate cotton plant portions in said passage; and to separatecotton plant portions from cotton lint adhering thereto; means adaptedto conduct said separated lint out of said passage; a receptacle adaptedto receive said separated cotton lint; means for operating said beater;means for operating said crusher; and lint separator, and means foroperating said lint conducting means.

10. A cotton harvester, comprising, in

. combination, a machine body mounted on wheels; a passage having adownwardlyleading part in said machine body adapted to receive cottonplant portions from which cotton lint is adapted to be removed; a

chamber at the downwardly-leading .part

of said passage; an exit opening in. the

EYE?

lower part of said chamber; an inclined gatherer in front of saidmachine body the forward end of which is in'close proximity to theground over which the machine is moving to lift lower branches of saidplants upon said inclined gatherer, said gatherer including two separatemembers spaced apart to permit stalks, branches and limbs of cottonplantsto enter and pass through the space between said members but tointercept bolls and larger limbs; a channel in said gatherer in whichcotton plant portions are adapted to be confined while ascending saidinclined gatherer to enter said passage; a heater in said machine bodyadapted to break up cotton plant portions admitted to said passage; acrusher in said exit passage including a cylinder having a series oflongitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, said cylinderapproximately closing the said exit opening, said knives being adaptedto disintegrate cotton plant portions in said passage; and to separatecotton plant portions from cotton lint adhering thereto; means adaptedto conduct said separated lint out of said passage, the latter meansincluding pneumatically operating devices; a receptacle adapted toreceive said separated cotton lint; means for operating said beater;means for operating. said crusher, and lint separator, and means foroperating said lint conducting means.

11. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardly leading part in saidmachine body adapted .to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint is adapted to be removed; a chamberiat the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lowerpart of said chamber; aninclined gatherer in front of said machine body, said inclined gathererbeing pivoted at its rear end in said machine body, its forward endbeing in close proximity to the ground over which the machine is movingto lift lower branches of said plants upon said inclined gatherer; meansadapted to raise and lower said inclined gatherer at its forward end tofollow the undulations of the ground at this forward end; a channel insaid inclined gatherer in which cotton plant portions are adapted to beconfined while ascending -said inclined gatherer; a beater insaidmachine body adapted to break up cotton plant portions entering saidpassage; acrusher in said exit passage including a cylinder having aseries of longitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, saidcylinder approximately closing the said exit opening, said knives beingadapted to disintegrate cotton plant portions in said passage; and to searate cotton plant portions from cotton. lint adhering thereto; meansadapted to conduct said separated lint out of said passage; a receptacleadapted to receive said separated cotton lint; means for operating saidbeater; means for operating said crusher; and lint separator, and meansfor operating said lint conducting means.

12. A cotton harvester, comprising, 'in combination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardlyleading part in saidmachine body adapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint is adapted to be removed; a chamber at the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber; aninclined gatherer in front of said machine body, said inclined gathererbeing pivoted at its rearend in said machine body, its forward end beingin close proximity to the ground over which the machine is moving tolift lower branches of said plants upon said inclined gatherer; meansadapted to raise and lower said inclined gatherer at its forward end tofollow the undulations of theground at this forward end; a channel insaid inclined gatherer in which cotton plant portions are adapted to beconfined while ascending said inclined gatherer; a heater in saidmachine body adapted to break up cotton plant portions entering saidpassage; a crusher in said exit passage including a cylinder having aseries of longitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, saidcylinderapproximately closing the said exit opening,

' said knives being adapted to disintegrate I wheels; a passage having adownwardly cotton plant portions in said passage; and to separate cottonplant portions from cotton lint adhering thereto; means adapted toconduct said separated cotton lintout of said passage, the latter meansincluding pneumatically operating devices; a remaptacle adapted toreceive said separated lint; means for operating said beater; means foroperating said crusher, and lintseparator,

and'means for operating said lint conducting means.

combination, a machine body mounted on leading part in said machine bodyadapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cotton lint isadapted toberemoved; a chamber at the downwardly-leading part of saidpassage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber; an inclinedgatherer-infront of said machine body, said gathererbeing pivoted at itsrear end in said machine body, its forward end being in close proximityto the ground over which the machine ismovin'g to lift lower branches ofsaid plants upon said inclined gatherer; means on said machine bodyadapted to raise and lower the forward end of said gatherer to followthe undulations of the ground at this forward end; a channel. in saidinclined gatherer wherein cotton plant portions are inclined gatherercomprising two separate members spaced apart to permit trunks :and limbsof said plants to enter and pass through the space between said membersbut to intercept bolls and larger limbs-of vsaid plants; a conveyer on'said inclined gatherer adapted to assist said cotton plant portions inascending said channel; said conveyer having wings crossing the spacebetween the gatherer members, a crusher in said exit passage including acylinder having a series of longitudinally disposed, radially projectingknives, said cylinder approximately clos-. ing the said exit opening,said knives being adapted to disintegrate cotton plant portions admittedto said passage; and to separate cotton plant portions from cotton lintadhering thereto;'means adapted to conduct said separated cotton lintout ofsaid passage; a receptacle adapted to receive said separatedcotton lint; means for operating said conveyer; means for operating saidcrusher; and lint separator, and-means for operating said lintconducting means.

14. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardly leading part in saidmachine bodyadapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint is' adapted to be removed; a chamber at thedownwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber; aninclined gatherer in front of said machine body, said gatherer beingpivoted at its rear end in said machine body, its forward end being inclose proximity to the ground over which the machine is moving to liftlower branches of said plants upon said inclined gatherer; means on.said machine body adapted to raise and lower the forward end of saidgatherer to follow the undulations of the ground at this forward end; achannel in said inclined gathererwherein cotton plant portions areadapted to be confined while ascending said inclined gatherer to entersaid passage, said inclined gatherer comprising two separate membersspaced apart to permit trunks and limbs of said plants to enter and passthrough the space between said members but to intercept bolls and largerbranches .of said plants; a conveyer on said inclined gatherer adaptedto assist said cotton plant portions in ascending said channel; saidconveyer having wings crossing the space between the gatherermembers,acrusher in said exit passage including a cylinder having a series oflongitudinally disposed, radially projecting knives, said cylinderapproximately closing the said exit opening, said knives being adaptedto disintegrate cotton plant portions admitted to said passage; and toseparate cotton plant portions from cotton lint ad- 7 wheels; a passagehaving a downwardly .hering thereto; means adapted to conduct saidseparated cotton lint out of said passage, the latter means includingpneumatically operating devices; a receptacle adapted to receive saidseparated cotton lint; means for operating said conveyor; means foroperating said crusher; and lint separator, and means for operating saidlint conducting means.

15. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine bodymounted on leading part in said machine body adapted to receivecottonplant portions from which cotton lint is adapted to be removed; achamber at the downwardly-leading part of .said passage; an exit opening1n t-he lower part of said chamber; an inclined gatherer in front ofsaid machine body, said gatherer being pivoted at its rear end in saidmachine body, its forward end being n close proximity to the ground overwhich the machine is moving to lift lower branches of said plants uponsaid inclined gatherer; means on said machine body adapted to raise andlower the forward end of said gatherer to follow the undulations of theground at this forward end; a channel in said inclined gatherer whereincotton plant,

portions are adapted to be confined while ascending said inclinedgatherer to enter said passage, said inclined gatherer comprising twoseparate members spaced apart t permit trunks and limbs of said plantsto fz and pass th gh. the Space between s -id members but to interceptbolls and larger branches of said plants; a conveyer on said inclinedgatherer adapted to assist said cotton plant portion is ascending saidchannel; "said conveyor having wings crossing the space between thegatherer members, a heater in saidmachine body adapted to break upcot-ton plant portionsv entering said passage; a crusher in said exitpassage includin a cylinder having a series of 1011- gitudina 1ydisposed, radially rojecting knives, said cylinder approximate y closingthe said exit opening, said knives being adapted to disintegrate cottonplant portions in said passage; and to separate cotton plant portionsfrom cotton lint adher ing thereto; means adapted to conduct saidseparated cotton lint out of said passage; a receptacle adapted toreceive said separated cotton lint; means for operatin sa1d conveyer;means for operating said crusher;

means for operating. said beater; and lint separator, and means foroperating said lint conducting means.

16. A cotton harvester, comprising, in combination, a machine bodymounted on wheels; a passage having a downwardlyle ading part in saidmachine body adapted to receive cotton plant portions from which cottonlint is adapted to be removed; a chamber at the downwardly-leading partof said passage; an exit opening in the lower part of said chamber; aninclined gatherer in front of said machine body, said gatherer beingpivoted at its rear end in said machine body, its forward end being inclose proximity to the ground over which the machine is moving to liftlower branches of said plant's upon said inclined gatherer; means dnsaid machine body adapted to raise and lower the forward end of saidgatherer to follow the undulations of the ground at this forward end; achannel in said inclined gather'er wherein cotton plant portions areadapted to be confined while ascending said inclined gatlierer to entersaid passage; said inclined gatherer comprisingtwo separate membersspaced apart to permit trunks and limbs of said plants -to enter andpass through the space between said members but to intercept bolls andlarger branches of said plants; a conveyor on said inclined" gathereradapted to'assist said cotton plant portions in ascending-said channel;said convveyer having wings crossing the space. he-

tween the gatherer members, a beater in said machine body adapted tobreakup cotton plant portions entering saidassage; a crusher'in saidexit passage i'nclu ing a cylinder. having a series of longitudinalldisposed, radially projecting knives, sai

cylinder approximatel opening, said knives h integrate cotton plantportions in said passage; and to separate-cotton lant portions fromcotton lint adhering t ereto; means adapted to conduct said separatedcotton lint out of said passage; the latter means, includingpneumatically operated devices; a 4

receptacle adapted to receive said separated cotton but; means foroperating said conclosin the said exit eing a apted to disveyer; meansfor operating said crusher; and lint separator, and means for operatingsaid lint conducting means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my mventiornl have hereuntoset my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

enter 0. nonenron.

Witnesses:

J AMES J. TYNAN, IRVING W. FISHER.

